David Blair's Blog, page 100

Western reports on Syria only really agree on one thing: the conflict won't end soon

The Western media's view of the Syrian conflict is not as monolithic at might appear. Nargiza, our foreign desk intern, has been looking for alternative views. Here is what she has found:

Ecuador is guilty of the offence that it has bizarrely accused Britain of committing over the Assange affair

Julian Assange has lost every appeal against extradition and, under the law, he should now be sent to Sweden to answer criminal charges. This very straightforward matter should concern no-one except Britain and Sweden.

South African police gun down striking miners

South Africa witnessed bloodshed reminiscent of the apartheid era on Thursday when police killed as many as 18 miners after opening fire on a crowd of strikers.

Israel's trigger finger grows itchy over the nuclear threat from Iran

How long will the Israelis wait before striking out at their sworn enemy?

Secret diplomacy holds the key to any solution of the Iran crisis

The lesson of history is that covert contacts and back channels can pave the way to peace

Bashar al-Assad regime 'controls only 30 per cent of Syria' says former PM

President Bashar al-Assad’s regime controls less than a third of Syria and the army should abandon him for the “side of the people”, the country’s former prime minister said.

Police in Norway 'could have stopped Anders Breivik sooner'

Norwegian police could have prevented Anders Behring Breivik from killing 77 people during a bomb attack and shooting spree that traumatised the nation, an official investigation found.

Mohammed Morsi tells Egypt army to 'protect the nation'

Egypt's new president has ordered the army to concentrate on "protecting the nation" after he ruthlessly purged the high command, dismissing seven generals including the military chief.

Egypt's president Mohammed Morsi challenging the assumption the army holds power

During the twilight years of Hosni Mubarak's dictatorship, Egyptians would gloomily voice one certainty about their country's political future.

Israel hints that it has already decided to bomb Iran

An extraordinary interview with an anonymous subject has appeared in Haaretz , the Israeli newspaper. In over 3,200 words of prose, the man answering the questions is referred to only as "the decision-maker". But the piece is filled with hints about his identity, to the point where anyone with the...